Waukegan man accused of sending inappropriate texts to teen girl

A north suburban man who worked for a school bus company has been charged with sending inappropriate texts to a teenage girl.

Rafael Torres, 21, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child via the internet, and grooming, according to Waukegan police.

Torres, who lives in the 300 block of North Butrick Street in Waukegan, first contacted the girl in July via social media, police said. They never met in person, and he did not tell her his true identity in their exchanges via social media and text messages. The contact ended in August when the girl’s parents notified police.

Torres worked as a bus aide for the Illinois Central Bus Company, which was contracted by the Waukegan School District, according to police. He was arrested Thursday and is being held on a $30,000 bond.

He is expected to appear in court again Oct. 4, police said.